Bird Watching and Wildlife

Wildlife and Bird Watching

Pilling Marsh and Chestnut Lodge


A short walk from the lodge is Pilling Marsh which supports one of the biggest trans-migrant and over wintering populations of wading birds in Britain.


In winter we have thousands of Pink foot geese and many Hooper swans coming in to feed. They even land in our fields and feed alongside the other birds.


Morecambe Bay


We are  awondefull location for a wildlife or birdwatching holiday you will be close to one of the most important wading bird habitats in the UK is of international significance. It is a place where as the weather gets colder the wildlife gets better. The area attracts a quarter of a million wading birds, ducks and geese.


The area is designated a Ramsar wetlands site and also a (SSSI). Glasson Dock and the southern shore of the Lune estuary are a short drive away. A short distance inland are Aldcliffe and Freemans Pools an area of marsh and pools adjacent to the Lune there is a regular blog about wildlife sightings see Aldcliffe and Freemans Pools Blog. Take a drive  through Lancaster to Heysham will take you to Heysham Nature Reserve which has open water, reedbed, marsh, scrub, acid and neutral grasslands, heath and tree and shrub plantations plus Dragonflies and damselflies, Heysham-Nature-Reserve.pdf


Forest of Bowland  AONB


The extensive heather moorlands of Bowland are home to the Hen Harrier and exceptionally important for upland birds. They are a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the European Birds Directive.



Arnside and Silverdale AONB


To the north you can visit Silverdale and Arnside AONB. The jewel in the crown is Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve is the largest reedbed in north-west England, and home to some really special birds such as breeding bitterns and bearded tits and Marsh Harriers. During the Spring and Autumn Ospreys often drop in for a bit of refuelling. Red deer live on the reserve and if you lucky otters can be seen.


The rest of the AONB is rich in wildlife birds, butterflies, bats, orchids, ferns, wildflowers and a huge diversity of special habitats ranging from reedbeds to ancient woodlands to the expanses of Morecambe Bay. There are lots of lovely walks in breathtakingly beautiful scenery. The large areas of woodland on Limestone being particularly good for butterflies.

Wildlife Hot Spots Map